IMPORTANT INFORMATION 6TH JUNE, 2020

" The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of the gift of Faith that God has given us in the salvation won for us by His only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, In the words of Bishop Olson, "I would like to thank you for the efforts that all of you have made in patience and generosity during these past several weeks of the first phase of our return to the public celebration of Mass and sacraments with the adaptation of several restrictions and protocols for the sake of the safety of all. The Eucharist makes us the Church through communion with Christ and with each other as one body, brothers and sisters, and saves us from being an aggregate of individuals with selfish interests. In our vocation as the Church, we are to care for each other, especially the vulnerable, in the integrity of soul and body as created by God. It is with being mindful of these and other truths of the Gospel that I am very happy to announce to you that this weekend, May 23-24, 2020, we will begin the second phase of public celebration of masses in the Diocese of Fort Worth. I list the following protocols for the sake of fundamental guidance and good order for this second phase of the return to public Mass in the Diocese of Fort Worth.

1. There are still legitimate threats to our health from the highly contagious COVID-19 virus; these threats are especially critical for the elderly and for people with a compromised immune system because of other pre-existing conditions. If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms of any illness stay home. If you are over the age of 60,1 am strongly encouraging you not to attend Mass. If your parish provides a Mass exclusively for people over the age of 60,1 recommend that you attend that Mass. I am asking that people over 60 years of age not distribute Holy Communion. 2. People in attendance at Mass wear masks or scarfs over their mouths and nose inside the church to help prevent the spread of the virus. The wearing of masks and face-coverings has helped greatly in preventing the spread of the coronavirus among the members of our community. The COVID-19 virus is passed along by tiny droplets of moisture that are released through our respiration. A mask covering our mouth and nose greatly inhibits and minimizes the passing of these droplets. We must think first of the good of our neighbor. People will not be seated without wearing a mask. We must err on the side of caution and of protecting those who are most vulnerable to the dangerous effects of COVID-19 out of an authentic love for our neighbor—a love that befits the selfless love of Christ extended to us in the gift of the Eucharist. If you do not desire to wear a mask for any reason, please stay home. The current state of the pandemic dispenses you from the obligation to attend Mass. 3. The number of people who are to be in attendance at Mass will be limited to a number that can be safely present mindful of the recommendation by the Governor of moving in Phase II from 25% to 50% capacity and CDC recommendations of social distancing with the required protocols of masks and sanitizing of hands. The intention of social distancing when initiated in the height of the flu season and at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was to prevent the spread so as to flatten the curve and to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients along with a shortage of P.P.E. The situation has changed sufficiently for us to maintain social distancing while wearing masks and with people now being seated with a distance of THREE FEET between persons, which generally equates to the increase from 25% to 50% capacity as recommended by the Governor for Phase II of re-opening Texas. Couples and families may be seated together as they normally would, with three feet distance separating them from others seated in church. Upon entering church at the designated entrance, people, wearing masks or scarf coverings over their mouth and nose, will have their hands sanitized and be escorted by an usher to a seat in the church. Once the church building has reached capacity, people arriving cannot be admitted and will be invited to attend another Mass, or directed to a parish hall, if available, arranged for social distancing with live-streaming, or will be able to follow along in their cars by live-streaming. At the end of Mass, people will be dismissed from their pews in an orderly fashion mindful of social distancing. Please do not linger and gather in groups. The procedure for distributing Holv Communion at an outside designated area is to be discontinued. 4. I am asking that the venerable custom of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue not be done during this phase and period of pandemic. My reasoning again for this is that the current expert opinion regarding the transmission of COVID-19 is that the virus is passed through small droplets in a person's breath received in close contact between people such as that of the hand of a minister of the Eucharist and a communicant's mouth. I realize that this is very difficult for many of us to consider because of our authentic piety in maintaining this venerable custom. It is very difficult for me to ask this of you as your bishop. Yet, I believe that it is necessary. I am asking you to be considerate in charity of your neighbor and receive Holy Communion in the hand for the time being. The church building will be wiped down with disinfectant in between all masses. Hymnals and other worship aids are not to be present or used during Phase II. All other parish gatherings are still prohibited or limited to online communications for this phase of re-opening Texas. Collection plates will not be passed or handled among people. Holy Communion will not be shared under both species (no reception of the chalice). There is to be no exchange of a handshake for the sign of peace. If possible, please do not forget to maintain your stewardship and to support your parish financially. These same protocols and occupancy limitations apply in the Diocese of Fort Worth to the celebration of weddings, funerals, and baptisms for the sake of the safety and good health of all involved. These protocols will be reassessed in two weeks as we continue to progress through each phase of re-opening Texas. The past ten weeks have been very difficult for many people throughout the twenty-eight counties of the Diocese of Fort Worth, the State of Texas, the United States of America, and throughout the world. For us as Christians and members of Christ's Catholic Church, these have also been times for the opportunity to come to a renewal of our faith through prayer and works of mercy. Thus, we are not returning to the way things were before this pandemic, instead we are moving forward ever closer to Christ and towards establishing the Kingdom of God in our community. I thank each and all of you for the sacrifices that you have made in contributing to the fulfillment of this holy endeavor. With every good wish and my pledge of prayers for you and for your families I remain."

"It is incumbent upon us as faithful members of the Church to act with the utmost of solidarity, justice, and prudence in rejecting fear and embracing our responsibility to love our neighbor, especially the vulnerable, for the sake of peace and the common good of our society. The churches will continue to provide on-line faith resources and broadcast Masses in livestreaming.

CONFESSIONS: We Begin our Return to Church with Confession. Please follow the instructions at the Church for your safety and our safety. Confessions before Mass with consideration according to social distancing norms. St. John Parish, Strawn 3:00 to 4:00 pm, St. Rita Parish 7:30 to 8:00 am , Ranger St. Francis Xavier Parish 9:00 to 9:30 am , Eastland Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish 12:30 to 1:00 Pm, Cisco

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: Our Masses will be held at the normal weekend Mass times Saturday at 4 p.m. in St John, Strawn, and Sunday at St. Rita, Ranger 8:00 a.m., St. Francis Xavier, Eastland 9:45 a.m., Holy Rosary, Cisco 11:30 a.m.

STAY HOME IF SICK: Please stay home if you are sick or are experiencing symptoms. If you are ill, you are not bound by the obligation to attend Mass, including on Sunday. Out of charity to others, sick individuals should not attend Mass or other liturgical events. And parishioners 65 years of age and older are not obliged to attend Mass. During this Pandemic time to physically attend Mass is NOT AN OBLIGATION especially for those over the age of 60, their caretakers, the immunocompromised, those who are feeling ill, or those who may have been exposed to COVID-19. We request you NOT TO ATTEND so that we can continue to protect the vulnerable around us.

MUST WEAR MASKS: Everyone who comes to Church for Mass MUST WEAR MASKS and all those in your cars who wishes to receive Eucharist in the parking lot MUST WEAR A MASK. For directions on how to make a mask (even without sewing) visit the CDC website. Please bring your own Masks and hand sanitizer. If you have extra, Masks please bring them to the Church and give it to Deacon. Before you arrive at the Church, wash your hands and sanitize your hands upon arriving at the Church. Please DO NOT hold your hands for the “Our Father” and the Sign of Peace is suspended

THREE FEET DISTANCING: The space at the entrance to the church is marked at 3-foot intervals so that people do not crowd the door and break social distance. No lingering would be allowed in front of the church or in the parking lot. We will limit gatherings according to the accommodation capacity of the church and with 50% occupancy restrictions in place (per the Governor’s order) this means St. Rita Parish, Ranger 90 People, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Eastland 50 people, St. John Parish, Strawn 50 people, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Cisco, 50 people. The first to arrive will be led by the ushers and the rest are kindly requested to remain in your cars in the parking lot, watch the live Streams and you can line up for Communion. Please come out of your car to receive communion. Please follow the instructions from Ushers. Social distancing (3 feet) is to be observed with attendees at all times. Family units may sit together but individuals MUST sit a minimum of 3ft apart coming forward for communion, and upon dismissal so that we can ensure safe distancing. DO NOT congregate will before or after Mass for Good Reasons.

THE HOLY COMMUNION: The Holy Communion will be distributed in the hand ONLY. When you come up, receive the host in your hand, step away from the Eucharistic Minister, then use one hand to pull your mask down, before picking up the host to consume it. Then return your mask to its proper place before walking back to your seat or car. We ask you to maintain proper social distancing.

THE DONATIONS: The collection baskets and the food drive baskets will be placed in the entrance of the church. Thank you for your generous contribution. (Donate Online. https://stritacatholicranger.org/donations)

THE SIGN OF PEACE: The Sign of Peace is temporarily suspended. After the Our Father and Prayer of Peace by the priest, the Lamb of God will follow immediately. We do not encourage the holding of hands during Mass. If applicable, please strongly consider receiving Communion in your hand rather than on the tongue.

FACEBOOK LIVE STREAMING: In addition, the Masses will continues to broadcast Facebook live streaming. During the Masses, there will be an act of spiritual communion.

SACRAMENTS: Communion as Viaticum and Anointing of the Sick are to be given in danger of death where possible. In the event where COVID-19 is indicated, appropriate measures will be taken. Baptisms are to be scheduled by calling the office, except in emergency situations. As a reminder, in the case of emergency, any person can perform a baptism. Quinceañeras are to be to be scheduled by calling the office. (245-210-7091). All other parish gatherings are to remain cancelled at this time. Funeral services will resume. Memorial Masses will be celebrate. It is strongly recommended that no one from a vulnerable population attend a funeral service.

CCD: At this moment, all onsite faith formation, religious education and ministry events continue to be suspended. We will not have CCD classes until August or schools reopen.

No pre- or post-service social gathering is allowed in parish buildings or on parish property.

Please remember that you are in my prayers, as we THANK GOD for opening the Church doors for you, look forward to the great day to celebrate the Liturgy as one family of God. We continue to pray for the end of Pandemic and all the Families, individuals affected by it.

In following the directives from the Eastland County Health Dept. and Bishop Olson, all activities, including confessions, Adoration, and distributing Holy Communion, have been suspended until further notice. If anyone is needing the sacraments of Anointing of the Sick, Penance (Apostolic Pardon in danger of death), and Viaticum for the dying, please call 254 210 7091/254 647 3163. I want you to know that you and your families are in our daily prayers. I am constantly working to support our parishioners every possible way. In spite of the turmoil of the Coronavirus that we are going through, I want you to experience God’s Love through our live streams of the Holy Week Liturgy. Please continue to pray for our Bishop, and all our clergy throughout the world, as they continue to serve the needs of the faithful. I am grateful for your continued patience and understanding during this most challenging time. My parishioners I daily offer Mass for your intentions. Let us unite in one heart and mind in praying for God’s mercy to end this pandemic, heal all those afflicted, sustain all those who care for the afflicted. May all the deceased receive God’s mercy. May all those who mourn be consoled by the Lord’s tenderness.